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Pato, Hulk, Kaka, but not David Beckham - Paris Saint-Germain's possible January transfer targets
One of Europe's top-spending clubs in the summer, PSG has again been linked with the addition of several players in the winter market. Goal.com analyses its key potential moves.
Jan 5, 2012 6:10:00 AM
By Robin Bairner
Panoramic
Paris Saint-Germain suffered something of a bloodied nose in the transfer market earlier this week as it was announced that David Beckham had finally snubbed the side from the French capital after a courtship that had lasted several months. Les Parisiens, however, will not be dissuaded from seeking further additions to their squad, and have already been linked with a clutch of stars.
A close relationship with Brazil has been fostered by the Parc des Princes outfit over the years, and the return of Leonardo as sporting director appears to have enhanced this, with the former Inter coach turning his head to his homeland as he attempts to bolster the club’s panel.
The arrival of a high-profile face in the form of Carlo Ancelotti to take over from the deposed Antoine Kombouare is a further move expected to enhance the French club's attractiveness to big-name foreign stars.
Countless players have already been linked with les Parisiens, who are thought to want three players this month, and here are a selection of some of those.
It’s been little secret that PSG has sought to strengthen both its full-back positions from the outset of the season, with the role on the left coming under particular scrutiny. Balzaretti has been persistently linked with the capital outfit even before the end of the summer transfer window – some reports even suggesting that a deal has already been struck - and Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini has done little to quell such speculation.
The two clubs reached a deal over Javier Pastore in the summer, and it may well be that the 30-year-old Italy international defender follows the Argentine to the Parc des Princes in January.
After seeming a virtual certainty to join the club a few months ago, the chances of a deal being struck are dropping, though.
The powerhouse Brazil forward has been associated with a switch away from Porto to some of Europe's biggest clubs, and PSG has seen its hat thrown into the ring. Ancelotti's side needs more muscle in attack, and the prolific 25-year-old would certainly provide it with spades of that.
On the final day of 2011, the striker went on the record to state that he thought a January switch could occur, though Porto is understandably keen to hold onto its most prized asset, who has a release fee of 100 million euros. Chelsea has emerged as the big rival for PSG in this regard, and even the riches of the French outfit would be unlikely to provide more of a draw than the Londoners.
Formerly the best player in the world, the form of Kaka has deteriorated since making an ill-fated move to Real Madrid from AC Milan in the summer of 2009. Injuries have hindered the Brazilian offensive midfielder, yet that has not stopped him attracting interest from Ancelotti’s side.
That the Italian coach – and Leonardo - worked with the 29-year-old in Italy must be a factor tilting in the favor of PSG, but the former Sao Paulo man is insistent that he will remain in Spain. When called by France Football to wish him a Happy New Year and to express their wish that they would see him soon, he replied: "If you want to see me, it will be much easier to come to Madrid!"
A poor Copa del Rey performance against Malaga earlier this week did his cause in Spain little good. However, Jose Mourinho has said he doesn’t want to lose any players this January, and Ancelotti was not optimistic over a potential deal when quizzed during a press conference on Wednesday.
Known to Ancelotti from his time at Chelsea, the Frenchman is believed to be unsettled at Stamford Bridge at present. Lacking playing time under Andre Villas-Boas, Malouda has already hinted at his desire for a move, and it may well be that PSG could be his next destination.
Under contract in England for another 18 months, the former Lyon left winger is reportedly a favorite of Ancelotti, and a move to pastures new to gain more game-time would appear an attractive prospect for the 31-year-old, particularly in view of Euro 2012.
But could he get that in Paris? With Nene in red-hot form, it would appear he would again be largely tied to the bench.
‘The Duck’ has failed to find his best level with AC Milan this season and has therefore been associated with a move away from San Siro. Rumors are rife that the Brazilian attacker has fallen out with coach Massimiliano Allegri, and so the reported bid of 38m euros that PSG are willing to table would be hugely tempting for the Italian club.
With Carlos Tevez seemingly on his way to San Siro, clearing the decks by off-loading Pato would not only ease the rotational pressure on the squad, but it would also ease the wage burden on the Serie A outfit.
On Wednesday, Ancelotti declared that PSG are "not interested" in the forward, but the media continue to insist that this is not the case, with L’Equipe insistent a deal can yet be thrashed out.
Something of a wildcard rumor, the Poland midfielder has been deprived of playing time at Lille and has expressed his desire to leave the northern outfit in order to receive greater exposure prior to Euro 2012, where he is expected to represent the co-hosts.
Of course, he would receive little more playing time in Paris than he would with les Dogues, but he would be compensated by a far higher salary. A player of undoubted talent, he would be a worthy addition to the PSG bench, and if he were to get a run of games in the starting XI, there’s a reasonable chance he could establish himself in the side.
For a small fee, he could be a worth risk taking.
Virtually as soon as the extent of Tevez’s fallout at Manchester City became clear, reports were already linking the Argentine striker with a switch to the Parc des Princes. Branded a soccer mercenary by the media, the former Manchester United striker was naturally linked with one of the game’s richest clubs.
It's Milan which leads the way for Tevez now, and PSG's desire to land Pato from the Serie A giant means that snaffling the Argentina international is highly unlikely, while signing both men will be impossible.
Follow ROBIN BAIRNER on
A close relationship with Brazil has been fostered by the Parc des Princes outfit over the years, and the return of Leonardo as sporting director appears to have enhanced this, with the former Inter coach turning his head to his homeland as he attempts to bolster the club’s panel.
The arrival of a high-profile face in the form of Carlo Ancelotti to take over from the deposed Antoine Kombouare is a further move expected to enhance the French club's attractiveness to big-name foreign stars.
Countless players have already been linked with les Parisiens, who are thought to want three players this month, and here are a selection of some of those.
| FEDERICO BALZARETTI | Palermo, Left-back, 30 |
 Read more on Balzaretti |
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The two clubs reached a deal over Javier Pastore in the summer, and it may well be that the 30-year-old Italy international defender follows the Argentine to the Parc des Princes in January.
After seeming a virtual certainty to join the club a few months ago, the chances of a deal being struck are dropping, though.
| HULK | Porto, Striker, 25 |
 Read more on Hulk |
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On the final day of 2011, the striker went on the record to state that he thought a January switch could occur, though Porto is understandably keen to hold onto its most prized asset, who has a release fee of 100 million euros. Chelsea has emerged as the big rival for PSG in this regard, and even the riches of the French outfit would be unlikely to provide more of a draw than the Londoners.
| KAKA | Real Madrid, Attacking midfielder, 29 |
 Read more on Kaka |
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That the Italian coach – and Leonardo - worked with the 29-year-old in Italy must be a factor tilting in the favor of PSG, but the former Sao Paulo man is insistent that he will remain in Spain. When called by France Football to wish him a Happy New Year and to express their wish that they would see him soon, he replied: "If you want to see me, it will be much easier to come to Madrid!"
A poor Copa del Rey performance against Malaga earlier this week did his cause in Spain little good. However, Jose Mourinho has said he doesn’t want to lose any players this January, and Ancelotti was not optimistic over a potential deal when quizzed during a press conference on Wednesday.
| FLORENT MALOUDA | Chelsea, Left winger, 31 |
 Read more on Cissokho |
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Under contract in England for another 18 months, the former Lyon left winger is reportedly a favorite of Ancelotti, and a move to pastures new to gain more game-time would appear an attractive prospect for the 31-year-old, particularly in view of Euro 2012.
But could he get that in Paris? With Nene in red-hot form, it would appear he would again be largely tied to the bench.
| ALEXANDRE PATO | AC Milan, Striker, 22 |
 Read more on Pato |
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With Carlos Tevez seemingly on his way to San Siro, clearing the decks by off-loading Pato would not only ease the rotational pressure on the squad, but it would also ease the wage burden on the Serie A outfit.
On Wednesday, Ancelotti declared that PSG are "not interested" in the forward, but the media continue to insist that this is not the case, with L’Equipe insistent a deal can yet be thrashed out.
| Ludovic Obraniak | Lille, Left winger, 27 |
 Read more on Obraniak |
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Of course, he would receive little more playing time in Paris than he would with les Dogues, but he would be compensated by a far higher salary. A player of undoubted talent, he would be a worthy addition to the PSG bench, and if he were to get a run of games in the starting XI, there’s a reasonable chance he could establish himself in the side.
For a small fee, he could be a worth risk taking.
| CARLOS TEVEZ | Manchester City, Striker, 27 |
 Read more on Tevez |
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It's Milan which leads the way for Tevez now, and PSG's desire to land Pato from the Serie A giant means that snaffling the Argentina international is highly unlikely, while signing both men will be impossible.
Follow ROBIN BAIRNER on
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